Pelham Public Schools Appoints Assistant Superintendent for Business

From the Pelham Public Schools: The Pelham School District is pleased to announce that James F. Hricay is expected to be appointed as the District’s new Assistant Superintendent for Business at the Board of Education’s meeting on May 2.

Mr. Hricay is currently the Managing Director of Operations for the Greenwich Public School District in Greenwich, CT, a post he has held since 2015. He previously served as the Director of the Office of Policy & Management for the City of Stamford, CT.

“Throughout the course of our interview process it became evident that Mr. Hricay’s long career in the public sector, financial acumen and understanding of facilities and operations made him a strong fit to lead our Business Department,” said Superintendent Dr. Peter Giarrizzo. “As a resident of Westchester County and having worked for a large and high-achieving school district in Greenwich, Mr. Hricay is well-equipped to oversee our District’s business and financial operations. We are fortunate to have an opportunity for Jim to be joining our team. He is an administrator of the highest caliber.”

Mr. Hricay, who will assume the position from Interim Business Official Linda Purvis on July 1, said he is looking forward to joining the District.

“I am excited and honored to be coming to the Pelham schools,” Mr. Hricay said. “I look forward to making a positive contribution.”

Mr. Hricay emerged as an impressive candidate during a thorough and robust interview and recruitment process, which included interviews with Dr. Giarrizzo, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction and Personnel Dr. Steve Garcia and Assistant Superintendent for Pupil Personnel Services Rosemary Matthews. Mr. Hricay also met separately with groups of teachers, administrators, and parents and community members as well as with the Board of Education.

He received strong praise from his references, who described him as someone who can see the big picture, is trustworthy, is a strong negotiator and as has a strong command of facilities management, including familiarity bonding and capital projects.

In his new position, Mr. Hricay will lead the Business Office and oversee all aspects of the District’s financial department, including building the annual budget and ensuring strong operating performance.
At the Greenwich Public Schools, Mr. Hricay is responsible for developing and managing the District’s $153 million budget, which provides education for 8,900 students and includes 1,345 employees in 15 schools. He managed the District’s operations related to finance, facilities, food service, purchasing, school safety & security, residency, transportation and continuing education. As a policy & management office director for the City of Stamford, CT, Mr. Hricay helped develop the annual budget of over $500 million and the capital budget totaling $75 million. Prior to his career in Connecticut, Mr. Hricay worked for the City of White Plains as the chief deputy budget director and held posts in the private sector at Benchmarking Technologies International and Pepsi-Cola North America.

Mr. Hricay holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from New York University and Master’s of Business Administration from Iona College. He received his B.S. in Public Administration from George Mason University and also holds a Certificate in Advanced Studies in School District Business Leadership from SUNY Stony Brook.

Photo courtesy of Pelham Public Schools